MARY AND JOSEPH - OBEDIENT HOME (1 OF 4)
by Steve Jones
Scripture: Matthew 1:18-20, Matthew 1:24-25
This content is part of a series.
Mary and Joseph - Obedient Home (1 of 4)
Series: Home for Christmas
Steve Jones
Matthew 1:18-19, 1:20, 1:24, 1:25
Central Idea of the series: The Christian home is defined by principles modelled in the Christmas story.
Central idea of this sermon: Mary and Joseph model the characteristic of ‘‘obedience’’ that defines the Christian home.
INTRODUCTION: Question: What singer originally recorded ‘‘I’ll be home for Christmas’’ way back in 1943? Bing Crosby. It was a top ten hit. The song is sung from the point of view of a soldier stationed overseas during World War II, writing a letter to his family. In the message, he tells the family he will be coming home and to prepare the holiday for him, and requests snow (good luck in Florida), mistletoe and presents on the tree. The song ends on a melancholy note, with the soldier saying, ‘‘I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.’’
Of all of the ‘‘associations’’ that come into our minds when we think of Christmas, ‘‘home’’ has to be one of the strongest and most common. Wouldn’t you agree? (Show ‘‘ideal home’’ picture). This is what we strive for. A beautiful tree. A crackling (fake) fire in the (fake) fireplace. Presents perfectly wrapped. Children in bed or maybe coming over later. And what this says or communicates is ‘‘Everything is good. Everything is right. Everyone is healthy and prosperous.’’ It’s a ‘‘Hallmark Movie Christmas Home.’’ But we have to be honest with ourselves - nobody has a ‘‘Hallmark Movie Christmas Home’’. Sometimes we receive Christmas cards with the ‘‘highlight reels’’ from other families. Sometimes we see carefully framed pictures of beautiful families on Facebook. And in those times, we might be tempted to think, ‘‘Someone else is living in the Hallmark movie Christmas home while I’m stuck with THESE guys (show picture of family).’’ No, there is no perfect home. We could deconstruct any picture of any family and know there are challenges, difficulties, stress, ...
Series: Home for Christmas
Steve Jones
Matthew 1:18-19, 1:20, 1:24, 1:25
Central Idea of the series: The Christian home is defined by principles modelled in the Christmas story.
Central idea of this sermon: Mary and Joseph model the characteristic of ‘‘obedience’’ that defines the Christian home.
INTRODUCTION: Question: What singer originally recorded ‘‘I’ll be home for Christmas’’ way back in 1943? Bing Crosby. It was a top ten hit. The song is sung from the point of view of a soldier stationed overseas during World War II, writing a letter to his family. In the message, he tells the family he will be coming home and to prepare the holiday for him, and requests snow (good luck in Florida), mistletoe and presents on the tree. The song ends on a melancholy note, with the soldier saying, ‘‘I’ll be home for Christmas, if only in my dreams.’’
Of all of the ‘‘associations’’ that come into our minds when we think of Christmas, ‘‘home’’ has to be one of the strongest and most common. Wouldn’t you agree? (Show ‘‘ideal home’’ picture). This is what we strive for. A beautiful tree. A crackling (fake) fire in the (fake) fireplace. Presents perfectly wrapped. Children in bed or maybe coming over later. And what this says or communicates is ‘‘Everything is good. Everything is right. Everyone is healthy and prosperous.’’ It’s a ‘‘Hallmark Movie Christmas Home.’’ But we have to be honest with ourselves - nobody has a ‘‘Hallmark Movie Christmas Home’’. Sometimes we receive Christmas cards with the ‘‘highlight reels’’ from other families. Sometimes we see carefully framed pictures of beautiful families on Facebook. And in those times, we might be tempted to think, ‘‘Someone else is living in the Hallmark movie Christmas home while I’m stuck with THESE guys (show picture of family).’’ No, there is no perfect home. We could deconstruct any picture of any family and know there are challenges, difficulties, stress, ...
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